Identifying prewar Schwinn

[Speed King]

Educating myself on the prewar Schwinns because I am looking to purchase. How can you determine year of the bike? I have the serial # but it comes up as a 52 with the Schwinn tool search.
Were bikes with an Excelsior head badge only made pre war? Assuming its the original head badge. Thanks

 

[kirkpatrick]

I believe it’s older than that, there’s a few sites I looked at to determine the year of my old Schwinn, post the serial # and a few more pics of the whole bike and members could help you out.

 

[kirkpatrick]

Not sure if this is the one you used.

http://schwinncruisers.com/serial-number.html

 

[kirkpatrick]

Also, IF the crank is original, they’ll be a date stamp on it.

 

[Speed King]

Not sure if this is the one you used.

http://schwinncruisers.com/serial-number.html

Yes, that's the one that says it's 52, but none of the 52s look like this, nor could I find an Excelsior in 52.

 

[Speed King]

I believe it’s older than that, there’s a few sites I looked at to determine the year of my old Schwinn, post the serial # and a few more pics of the whole bike and members could help you out.

Would you mind posting those sites or PM me?

 

[RustyGold]

The look up tool posted above states it is only valid for '48 and up, as pre '48 records were destroyed in a fire.

This site gives info on identifying earlier Schwinns.
http://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday101/SchwinnCodes1.html/

Jason

 

[kirkpatrick]

Would you mind posting those sites or PM me?

It might’ve been the angelfire site that @Jaxon mentioned above, it’s been a while since I’ve looked up a Schwinn #.

 

[RustyGold]

Maybe...
http://www.bicyclechronicles.com/serials

Jason

 

[RustyGold]

This one is being listed as a '51/'52 Excelsior...
https://budgetbicyclectr.com/schwinn-built-excelsior-bicycle.html
...it has a welded in kickstand...

...yours doesn't appear to have a welded in kickstand. So, I would think yours is pre-'46 at the latest.

Jason

 

[Wildcat]

Excelsior was a brand name for a Schwinn made bike, the Schwinn of the same year usually is identical. Your kickstand is bolt on. The built-in kickstand came out in 46, so yours is probably prewar. As I just read in the above post also!
Here's a 37 Excelsior, same style of white trim and forks/ truss rods.

Also as stated above, pulling the cranks may be the surest way to get the date. It looks like the original chain wheel, so the cranks are probably original too. Just guessing.

 

[Speed King]

Guys- thanks a lot for the responses. Found out some other things too which I'll post later- I got to go see this thing now. A little bit of a drive so...we'll see.

 

[Speed King]

This one is being listed as a '51/'52 Excelsior...
https://budgetbicyclectr.com/schwinn-built-excelsior-bicycle.html
...it has a welded in kickstand...
View attachment 71232
...yours doesn't appear to have a welded in kickstand. So, I would think yours is pre-'46 at the latest.

Jason

Yes! And also the rear dropouts, prewar slide in from the back and have the adjusting screw, thanks!

 

[Wildcat]

I found this webpage on the prewar numbers:
http://www.bicyclechronicles.com/serials

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

This is my prewar Excelsior frame with badge. Looks the same.. Late 30's, not sure exactly.

 

[LarzBahrs]

Forks alone tell that is is prewar. Postwar truss forks would have had indentations.

 

[Speed King]

Forks alone tell that is is prewar. Postwar truss forks would have had indentations.

Yes, thanks, someone else told me that too. I learned a lot this week.